Using AutoCorrect

Outlook, like other Office applications, supports AutoCorrect - a feature that allows Outlook to correct common spelling and typing errors and to replace characters with symbols. You also can use AutoCorrect as a shortcut, which means you can type a small string of characters and have those characters replaced by a longer string.

For example, if you frequently type the name Jonathan Smith from Bank of America, you might set up AutoCorrect to replace your shorthand typed phrase JSM with Jonathan Smith from Bank of America. To assign an abbreviation or sequence of characters to the fragment of text, follow these steps:

3. In the Editor Options dialog box, on the Proofing tab, click the AutoCorrect Options... button:

4. In the AutoCorrect dialog box, on the AutoCorrect tab, check the option Replace text as you type, and then enter your custom entries:

The length of an AutoCorrect entry is limited only by the available memory. After entering or selecting an AutoCorrect entry, you must give it a unique name. Here are some guidelines for naming an AutoCorrect entry:

Don't use a common word to name an AutoCorrect entry unless you alter that word.

For example, don't name an entry Mr. Instead, precede it with an asterisk or other character to make it unique, such as *Mr. When you don't make the word unique, Outlook inserts the AutoCorrect entry whenever you type that word, whether you want it to or not. It will require too much effort to revert each auto correction if you have chosen a common word.

5. Click Add.

Note: Outlook shares your AutoCorrect list with other Office applications. Any AutoCorrect entries you created in Outlook will also work in Excel and in Word.